Javi Gracia admits Watford will need to do something different to improve their fortunes against the so-called ‘big six’ next season, but believes it is important to look beyond the results against the Premier League’s top clubs.

The Hornets 3-0 loss against Chelsea was the 11th time the Hornets have been beaten in 12 outings against the top six in the table – the exception being the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur – but the head coach feels that in many of these fixtures his side have had opportunities to gain more than just the three points this term.

Asked if this record was a concern with the forthcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City in mind, Gracia said: “I prefer to be an optimist and it’s a different game and we’ll have our chances to get a good result.

“It’s something for next season we have to improve but it’s not fair only to speak about the results. In my opinion we have to think different because if you want to get points against these teams you have to do something different, but if you analyse the different games – against United, against Arsenal, against Chelsea away – in many of them we had real chances to get better results. That is the most important in my opinion. After that, for sure I recognise we have to do something different.”

However, the Hornets boss does not feel this is the right time to reflect on whether his side’s disappointing record against the top-six is one of the most frustrating aspects of this season.

He said: “When you don’t get a good result, always it can be a little bit disappointing. In this moment of the season I prefer to analyse the little things, they are important for the next games and we have to finish the next game and after we have to play an important final.

“If your behaviour is always you are defending bad against corner kicks and free-kicks, I’d be worried about that. But it’s not like that.

“I prefer to be an optimist, to try to understand the team, to understand the players and try to give the confidence they need to do it better next time.”